Paying for NI gaps online via HMRC

blandford_flyer

Can anyone please help me understand why missing NI years not grouped together in date order for online payment options. My wife has 11 different options for voluntary NI payments (available till 5th April 2025) at a range of different costs but there is not an option to pick your own missing years. I dont understand why there are options to pay for eg. 2011/12... 2012/13 combined with 2020/21... 2021/22 which excludes years 2015/16 and 2016/17. Why not give you the option to select the oldest years as a group?? it seems cynical to me ...as if designed to force you towards the most expensive option/s.

Sarahspangles

It’s possible for some pre 2016 years not to ‘count’. This is due to the way that the 2016 starting position is calculated. It’s common for people to need e.g. 2 years pre 2016 (even though they have more gaps) and four years post 2016.

It would be better to post more details if you want this to be checked - just redact any personal information.

QrizB

blandford_flyer said:

Can anyone please help me understand why missing NI years not grouped together in date order for online payment options.

The system should be offering you the cheapest years first.

blandford_flyer said:

..as if designed to force you towards the most expensive option/s.

As above, please share some examples if you think it's getting it wrong.